Question

Write the verbal sentence as an equation or an inequality. Five decreased by eight is four times \(y.\)

Short answer

The equation is \(5 - 8 = 4y\).

Step-by-step solution

Interpretation

In the statement, 'Five decreased by eight', the phrase 'decreased by' signifies subtraction. Thus, this translates to '5 - 8'.

Interpretation Continued

The next part of the sentence is 'is four times \(y\).' The word 'is' signifies 'equal to' in mathematical terms, and 'four times \(y\)' translates to '4y'.

Form the equation

Combining the above interpretations, 'Five decreased by eight is four times \(y\)' simply translates to '5 - 8 = 4y'.